Western appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1885-18??, 1887-10-22

The case of William A. Hazel against
Foley Bros, proprietors Of the Claren-
don Hotel, for refusing him accommo-
dations on account of his color on the
18th of last May, was terminatedin the
District Court last Monday, and result
led in verdict in favor of Mr.. Hazel.
The suit was brought under the com non
law, and not under the civil rights act
passed by the legislature of the state in
1885. Though very little has been said
about the case, there was considerable
interest felt among the Colored People
in regard to the matter, as the thinking
portion of the community knew there
was more at stake than the damages
sued for. The main point was to estab-
lish the principle, that the rights of the
Colored citizens could not be violated
with impunity by the servants of the
pnblic. The suit was brought for $1,000
damages but the jury agreed upon S25,
though sums ranging from one cent up to
1000 were suggested by the jurors.
The people are generally pleased be-
cause the verdict is on the side of right
and humanity, but they would have
been infinitely more pleased had the
damages been assessed at a higher rate !;
at least enough to repay the plaintiff
every dollar either directly or indirect
3y spent on account of the suit. There
was no desire on the part of Mr.. Hazel
to realize any money out of the suit, as
he was fighting for principle, but the
defendants should have been punished
so severely by the amount of damages
which they are to pay and the costs of
the suit, that they would not again at
tempt to discriminate against anyone on
account Of color. It is wonderful to
note the large amount of bitter preiu-
dice which exists in this city and had
Mr.. Hazel been little more unfortun-
ate in the selection Of the jury, and had
few more men periured themselves to
get on the jury, to-day the principle
would have been established, that a
Colered citizen of Minnesota has no
rights white man is bound to respect.
But, thanks to Mr.. Henry Johns, the
ale young lawyer, in his management
ofthe ease, thanks to the honorable men
who forme,d the majority Of the jury,
and, last, but n ut least, to the upright
Judge Kelly, for lis impartial, unbiased
decisions, and for his admirable charge
to the jury, which was SO clear and sue
cinct that there was no chance for the
most ignorant to go astray, thanks are
due to all of these for the victory we
have won. God only helps those who
help themselves, and we have very
much to do before all our rights and
privileges are secured, Mr.. Hazel de-
serves our lasting gratitude for the man
ly stand he took in this matter. With
outa single witness on his side and with
nothing but the facts in the case and
+ = t 3 i <
his own evidence, he oyercame the lies
of half dozen witnesses on the other
side, and the blatant braying Of the con-
ceited ass of a shyster who represented
the Foley Bros, and disguised the re.
spectacle portion of the jury, the court
snd the spectators, by his utter lack Of
courtesy, his utter Jack of spirit oil
Justice, his exhibition of ibis Unborn, de.
spicable character and his utter want oil
judgment. Fiat any time anyone de.
sires counselor who is lost to all sense
of manhood and one who will stoop to
the lowest practices known to the profess
sion, one who believes prejudice is hon
est conviction, bulldozing is evidence o.
ability and blackguardism is oratory AND
logic, we heartily recommend the coun